Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Fiat celebrates the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye's album What's Going On, with a video focused on environmental and inclusion issues
may 21, 2021 - Fiat

Fiat celebrates the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye's album What's Going On, with a video focused on environmental and inclusion issues


  • On May 21st, 1971 Marvin Gaye released his unforgettable album What’s Going On, pioneering the issues of the environment, social inclusion, and commitment to a better future.
  • These same themes inspired the social role of the New 500, an icon of sustainable mobility.
  • Fiat celebrates the album’s anniversary with an emotional video tribute to the melody and lyrics of “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”, one of the biggest and most evocative tracks on the album.

 The video tribute made by Fiat for the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s album What's Going On can be viewed on YouTube, on the Fiat brand channel, or can be accessed directly here. An emotional film packed with highly engaging images to accompany the melody of “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”. The album track is one of the first examples in the history of music of attention to climate change. It was written to underline the effects of pollution on the air, oceans and animals. 

FIAT CEO, Olivier François, said: “Marvin Gaye inspired us to go all-in for our planet and its people: to be engines of change and drive a better future, and the new, all-electric, electric-only Fiat 500 was inspired by that same vision. So we felt compelled to honour Marvin's dream of a greener future on the 50th anniversary of his most iconic album”. 

Sony Music Publishing President, Global Chief Marketing Officer Brian Monaco said, “We are proud to partner with Fiat to celebrate Marvin Gaye’s genius and the enduring influence of What’s Going On. This moving tribute video reflects the incredible purpose of his songs such as Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), and we will continue to uphold Marvin Gaye’s legacy as we work together to create a more sustainable and inclusive future.” 

Acknowledged to this day by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the best records of all time, beyond its musical value the album directly addresses issues with strong social impact such as environmental protection, the fight for inclusion and equity, and the commitment to ensure a better future for the new generations. These issues remain highly topical and universal, and reflect the values that inspired the creation of the New 500, the first full-electric Fiat model (and 100% Made in Italy). 

The 1960s Fiat 500 gave a huge lift to the concept of “car ownership for the people”. The New 500 now acts as the bearer of a message of change, of attention to the environment, and of sustainability: values embodied by the claim: DRIVE FOR CHANGE.  On today’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, Fiat would like to remind people how electric mobility – with the New 500 as its ambassador – can be an inspiration for a better future, and a contribution to preserving the environment for future generations.